Notes.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 87, 24 September 1915, Page 4

Notes.

Professor Hendrick, of Aberdeen, has been studying the question ot tbe valuation of exhausted manures and feeding stuffs, and his findings ought to be noted. Practically it amounts to this, that "cumulative fertility" is the only thing that should be paid for at the exit of a tenant. A lot of manure put on immediately before the termination of a tenancy is apt to be exhausted very quickly, whereas tbe fertility which has taken some time to accumulata is more likely to last. This is explainable by the fact that there is a great deal of difference betweso the soluble and insoluble residues of manures and feeding stuffs. The soluble parts which find their way into the soil are quickly exhausted or used up, and therefore have little or no money value, wher.as the other part lasts. He considers that ihe time has come when valuation must be made on a different basis altogether than on the assessed proportion of nitrogen, phosphoric a:id, and potash originally in the manures and feedingstuffs. jt a farm has been well fed it immediately carries a larger head of stock, while the increased crop yields more straw, which in its turn makes more manures for the next crop. Once the fertility of a farm has been graded up it can be kepi up with comparatively little annual expenditure, and therefore the outlay m the first years of a lease are the ones of most importance. In an experiment with ten cows al the Kansas Agricultural College it was fourd tbat for the first five days after dehorning the cows lost an average of half-a-pound ot milfe a day. At the end of the fifth daj they began to return to theii normal flow, and in a few dayt eight ot them were giving a substantial increase. Tbe greatest gain was with tbe cons that had been hooked and driven away iron their feed previous to the dehorning, Two that did not increase theii production were tbs "boss" cowi of the hred. Cattle that are dehorned beiore the coming ol warm weather and flics usually hea without any trouble. Much time and trouble is Baved by detioraing the calves with caustic potash. This should be done before the call is a week eld, or a stumpy horn will develop, which wiU have to be removed later with clippers or saw Scrape the button or young hori with a knife until it i 8 red. Ther moisten it and rub it well with ; stick of caustic potash, or witl household lye, being careful not t< get it in the skin around the horn as it is very irritating to the calf'i tender skin. This should be re peated in a few days if a deei scab does not form in the centre o the born.